Corydora Stuck In Hole

[jackiejo]

Can anyone offer any advice on how to free a little corydora that's stuck in a hole?

It's been missing for a day or two, and we just found it out of sight, stuck in a hole in a rock. Its tail is poking out one end (slightly) and we can see its face, but nothing in between.

We've moved the rock away from the glass and have left it for a couple of hours, but it's not come out.

We've tried holding the rock in the flow from the filter for a few seconds at a time, in the hope that the flow would help it swim free, but it hasn't.

We've tried (gingerly) using a cotton wool bud to push underneath it from the front in the hope that we could help ease it backwards, but we're too scared of hurting it to try any more.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Jackie & Jo

 

[chibi]

Is it alive? Do you have a picture? I'm having trouble imagining what it looks like. Poor little cory. D:

 

[jackiejo]

Is it alive? Do you have a picture? I'm having trouble imagining what it looks like. Poor little cory. D:

Two photos at http/www.icspace.co.uk/cory/corydora_stuck.htm

He is alive. Is it best to try to get him out forwards or backwards, or leave him alone and hope for the best?

Jackie & Jo

 

[sparklefuzz]

Is it alive? Do you have a picture? I'm having trouble imagining what it looks like. Poor little cory. D:

Two photos at http/www.icspace.co.uk/cory/corydora_stuck.htm

He is alive. Is it best to try to get him out forwards or backwards, or leave him alone and hope for the best?

Jackie & Jo

Logic would say backwards... as he might not fit forwards - hence him being stuck. Is enough of him sticking out that you could get ahold of him and ease him out? You obviously can't push on his little face, but you can't leave him there either... what is the rock made from? could it be broken easily? Poor guy, I really hope you manage to free him

 

[black angel]

I wouldnt try pulling him out as his barbed fins wont allow it. If you pull then he is going to panic and think you are trying to eat him.

Try taking it out the water and see if he can jump around a bit himself, gravity might help if you tilt the rock backward then forward.
If that doesnt help then you may have to break it but i dont know how as any loud noise could kill him.

Is it an actual rock or resin?

 

[Breeze7050]

Oh this is horrible!
I think your best bet is to break the rock as carefully as possible. I don't think trying to push or pull is going to work. Please keep us updated!

 

[adrock]

I used a pair of pliers, .... on the rock, not the fish.
I hade to chip away at my rock deco. for 15-20 min before my Gourami could swim free.
I believe my wife and I are at fault for the abrasions around the poor guys face, cause we tried to push him out once, (VERY lightly) before I grabbed the pliers. He is very happy to see me every day now, for a week. I think he knows, and is thankful for his freedom!

As soon As I sit down at the tank he is right at my nose, watching me, and showing me his healing fins.




I wish you good luck.

Adam

 

[Inchworm]

Hi jackiejo

Poor little cory!

Is he still stuck in there? I can't tell by looking at the picture, but if he got scared and threw his pectoral fins out, there's a chance that he might relax them and be able to free himself.

If that doesn't happen and you can't break the rock, the best bet would be to push him forward if it looks like he will fit. This way there is less risk to his pectoral fins and gills.

Please let us know how this turns out. Good luck.

 

[Breeze7050]

Adrock - Good job on saving your Gourami! Im sure he is very thankful!!
Jackie - Please keep us updated as we are all worried! I think the best bet is breaking/chipping away/plying ect at the rock! And when you rescue him, please get rid of the rock!!

 

[sharkbaitwoohaha]

similar problem with a 12" clown loach and a mangrove root ornament. he had been going in it when he was smaller and as he grew, eventually he got stuck. it had to be chipped away and and eventually broke. he survived but has a few scars around his head now. poor guy.
good luck.
but id go for the breaking it method cos its almost like being stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea (or a rock and a hard place, if you will) cos you cant leave him and its a risk to free him but its better to take the risk

 

[jackiejo]

Thanks for all your suggestions. We've had a look at the rock but the hole is quite deep in and it doesn't look easy to chip away at it without the risk of hurting him.

We tried again putting him tail-first in the flow from the filter to see if the force of the water rushing past him will help, but it didn't. We also tried giving him a gentle squeeze and push as close to his middle as we can reach, but we're too frightened of hurting him. He's looking quite stressed, so we've left him alone again for a while.

The only thing we're wondering now is whether he might slim down a bit if he doesn't have any food for a couple of days? Failing that, we'll have to look at some way to chip away at the rock without risking hurting him (as his head and tail are visible either end).

What a worry!!! We'll keep you posted.

Jackie & Jo

 

[jackiejo]

He's out!

Jo's boyfriend came round and somehow managed to twist him a little bit within the hole, so he was straighter. Then he gripped him just above the tail, and gave a pull and he came plopping out!

We've put him in a baby tank to recover, and although he has a couple of scrapes he's not looking too bad (fingers crossed the shock hasn't been too much for him).

The rock is now in the bin! I'll let you know in a day or two how he's getting on.

Jackie

 

[sparklefuzz]

He's out!

Jo's boyfriend came round and somehow managed to twist him a little bit within the hole, so he was straighter. Then he gripped him just above the tail, and gave a pull and he came plopping out!

We've put him in a baby tank to recover, and although he has a couple of scrapes he's not looking too bad (fingers crossed the shock hasn't been too much for him).

The rock is now in the bin! I'll let you know in a day or two how he's getting on.

Jackie

FABULOUS!!! Thats great news, I've got my fingers crossed for him xx

 

[Breeze7050]

YAY!!! That's wonderful!! Hopefully he will be okay, Im sure that was a bit stessful!! Glad you got him out!
B)

 

[richchappy]

well done,

bet he will soon become your favorite out the bunch